Top of the page
Literature > Press Releases > ITW Air Management Appoints Tyler Derus as New Business Unit Manager

ITW Air Management Appoints Tyler Derus as New Business Unit Manager

The Cincinnati manufacturer, a business unit of the global ITW organization, appoints new leadership and organizational changes following the retirement of current Business Unit Manager, Barbara Stefl

Cincinnati, OH  (August 2022) –  ITW Air Management, a leader in innovative air solutions for industrial applications, has appointed Tyler Derus as the new Business Unit Manager of ITW Air Management. This change in leadership is due to the retirement of the current Business Unit Manager, Barbara Stefl.

For 11 years, Barbara has led both brands under the ITW Air Management umbrella – Vortec and Paxton Products. Over those 11 years, Barbara made many improvements to ITW Air Management that supported the growth of the two industrial brands. Following the ITW Business Model, Barbara embraced the ideals of Customer-Backed Innovation, the 80/20 Front-to-Back Process, and the Decentralized, Entrepreneurial Culture. After a successful 11 years, Barbara prepares to retire with her husband and spend more time volunteering, spending time with family, traveling and enjoying their many hobbies.     

Tyler joined ITW in July 2021 as the Business Unit Manager of Pillar Technologies, a leader in induction sealing equipment and surface (corona and plasma) treatment. As Business Unit Manager of ITW Air Management, Tyler will continue his current role as business unit manager of Pillar Technologies in Hartland, WI. His education and experience consist of a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, coupled with over 10 years of experience in research and development, business development and marketing leadership roles in the manufacturing industry.

“This is an exciting time for ITW Air Management and Pillar Technologies,” commented Tyler. “Each organization has towering strengths which we will leverage across our four brands to drive customer satisfaction and fuel growth for years to come.”

The partnership of ITW Air Management and Pillar Technologies will enable a sharing of corporate resources and experience to drive growth in the ITW Electrostatics Division.


About ITW Air Management: Part of the global ITW Organization, ITW Air Management is made up of two brands that provide expert air solutions for a variety of industrial application needs. ITW Air Management is comprised of Paxton Products (founded in 1950) and Vortec (founded in 1961). With over 6 decades of industrial manufacturing experience, ITW Air Management provides expertly designed solutions that improve efficiency and increase productivity.

About Pillar Technologies: Located in Hartland, WI, Pillar Technologies is part of the global ITW Organization and is made up of two brands, Pillar Technologies Induction Sealers and Pillar Technologies Surface Treatment. Pillar Technologies Induction Sealers provide superior bottle cap sealing solutions for packaging applications. Pillar Technologies Surface Treatment provides innovative products that promote adhesion to surfaces when printing, coating, or laminating.
Literature > Press Releases > ITW Air Management Appoints Tyler Derus as New Business Unit Manager

ITW Air Management Appoints Tyler Derus as New Business Unit Manager

The Cincinnati manufacturer, a business unit of the global ITW organization, appoints new leadership and organizational changes following the retirement of current Business Unit Manager, Barbara Stefl

Cincinnati, OH  (August 2022) –  ITW Air Management, a leader in innovative air solutions for industrial applications, has appointed Tyler Derus as the new Business Unit Manager of ITW Air Management. This change in leadership is due to the retirement of the current Business Unit Manager, Barbara Stefl.

For 11 years, Barbara has led both brands under the ITW Air Management umbrella – Vortec and Paxton Products. Over those 11 years, Barbara made many improvements to ITW Air Management that supported the growth of the two industrial brands. Following the ITW Business Model, Barbara embraced the ideals of Customer-Backed Innovation, the 80/20 Front-to-Back Process, and the Decentralized, Entrepreneurial Culture. After a successful 11 years, Barbara prepares to retire with her husband and spend more time volunteering, spending time with family, traveling and enjoying their many hobbies.     

Tyler joined ITW in July 2021 as the Business Unit Manager of Pillar Technologies, a leader in induction sealing equipment and surface (corona and plasma) treatment. As Business Unit Manager of ITW Air Management, Tyler will continue his current role as business unit manager of Pillar Technologies in Hartland, WI. His education and experience consist of a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, coupled with over 10 years of experience in research and development, business development and marketing leadership roles in the manufacturing industry.

“This is an exciting time for ITW Air Management and Pillar Technologies,” commented Tyler. “Each organization has towering strengths which we will leverage across our four brands to drive customer satisfaction and fuel growth for years to come.”

The partnership of ITW Air Management and Pillar Technologies will enable a sharing of corporate resources and experience to drive growth in the ITW Electrostatics Division.


About ITW Air Management: Part of the global ITW Organization, ITW Air Management is made up of two brands that provide expert air solutions for a variety of industrial application needs. ITW Air Management is comprised of Paxton Products (founded in 1950) and Vortec (founded in 1961). With over 6 decades of industrial manufacturing experience, ITW Air Management provides expertly designed solutions that improve efficiency and increase productivity.

About Pillar Technologies: Located in Hartland, WI, Pillar Technologies is part of the global ITW Organization and is made up of two brands, Pillar Technologies Induction Sealers and Pillar Technologies Surface Treatment. Pillar Technologies Induction Sealers provide superior bottle cap sealing solutions for packaging applications. Pillar Technologies Surface Treatment provides innovative products that promote adhesion to surfaces when printing, coating, or laminating.